INTRODUCTION
Research’s objective
- Detecting environmental pollutants at Khanh Hoa Coal Company
- Assess the level of Impact on the surrounding factory
- Propose solutions to minimize and prevent impacts
Research question and hypotheses
- Is the ambient environment of Khanh Hoa Coal Company safe to the local people, workers and ecosystems around the factory?
- Which environment factor suffered the most impact Khanh Hoa Coal Company?
- How we can mitigate the impact of Khanh Hoa Coal Company to the environment and local people?
Despite the white smoke released by Khanh Hoa Coal Company, the emissions contain parameters that are below the permissible limits, ensuring that the ambient air quality around the factory remains safe.
+ The treated wastewater from company which discharge to the environment is acceptable because all the indicator is meet the regulation standard
+ The soil around the factory is safe and the local people can have agricultural production
The air quality around Khanh Hoa Coal Company is severely compromised, as evidenced by the white smoke emissions and unusual odors Measurements indicate that air quality levels exceed permissible standards, highlighting significant pollution in the vicinity of the factory.
Treated wastewater from the factory exhibits an unpleasant odor and lacks transparency, leading to environmental pollution that adversely affects aquatic species and the daily water supply for local communities.
+ The soil around company could be polluted by heavy metal because of the production activities of factory.
Limitations
Waste collection (including liquid and solid waste) is being carried out by Khanh Hoa Coal Company in accordance with the State's process and regulations
However, in fact, the infrastructure and collection and treatment are still manual
The current state of the water supply system is ineffective, as numerous damaged pipes and sewers persist Additionally, the limited capacity of input water tanks often leads to overflow and stagnation, creating unhygienic conditions Consequently, treated wastewater is frequently released directly into the environment, exacerbating the issue.
The company will gather all types of waste produced during daily operations into a designated container for transfer to a facility specialized in domestic waste treatment.
The manufacturing process generates dust that is released into the air, making it challenging to fully capture and treat before environmental discharge This dust can negatively impact both the surrounding environment and human health.
With the wastewater, the company does not directly treat it, but hired
Environment-TKV One Member Limited Company to treat mine wastewater into industrial wastewater and discharge it directly into the environment
In terms of solid waste generated in the mining process, the company uses specialized trucks and collects it at two landfills in the South and the West
Waste generated in the process of living is gathered and assigned to the functional unit for treatment
Air and noise pollution management lacks a structured approach, relying on basic methods like watering, car washing, and vehicle maintenance, which are ineffective and pose significant environmental risks.
Despite ongoing efforts in propaganda and advocacy for environmental protection, particularly in wastewater and waste management, the effectiveness of these initiatives remains limited Communication primarily relies on word of mouth and loudspeakers Nevertheless, the company has made some investments aimed at enhancing environmental sanitation.
Definitions
According to the 2014 environmental protection law:
- Environment is a system of natural and man-made material factors that affect the existence and development of humans and organisms [7]
- Environmental pollution is the change of environmental components not in accordance with environmental technical regulations and environmental standards, and adversely affects humans and organisms [7]
Environmental technical regulations establish mandatory limits on the quality of the surrounding environment and the allowable levels of pollutants in waste These regulations, issued by state authorities, include both technical and managerial requirements aimed at ensuring effective environmental protection.
Environmental standards define the permissible limits for environmental quality, pollutant levels in waste, and the technical and management requirements enforced by state agencies These standards are often published as voluntary documents aimed at protecting the environment.
LITTERATURE REVIEW
Background
In recent years, Thai Nguyen province has experienced significant growth, paralleling the overall development of Vietnam Leveraging its abundant natural resources, particularly coal, the region has seen the establishment of numerous coal mining companies Among these, the Khanh Hoa Coal Company (VVMI) stands out as a key player in the exploitation of this valuable resource.
Over 71 years of construction and development, Khanh Hoa Coal Company -
VVMI is a unit of Viet Bac Mining Industry Corporation TKV-JSC is located in Son Cam commune, Phu Luong district, Thai Nguyen city with an area of
11,141m2 [8] and is constantly being expanded, has gone through many stages with different names, according to the Decision No 1371 / QD-BCN dated May
In 2006, the Ministry of Industry officially named the Khanh Hoa Coal Company-VVMI, establishing it with an initial charter capital of 60 billion VND and annual investments reaching hundreds of billions of VND This strong financial foundation positions Khanh Hoa Coal Company for significant future growth The company's primary focus is on the extraction and processing of coal to supply the Cao Ngan thermal power plant, cement factories, and the Bac Thai Coal Company, which collectively consume approximately [insert annual coal consumption volume].
Khanh Hoa Coal Company aims to produce 600,000 tons of coal by implementing its development strategy for 2020-2025 and vision for 2030 Key tasks include adopting advanced technologies to enhance production efficiency while ensuring labor safety and environmental protection The company will expedite ground clearance projects to expand production areas and waste disposal sites, invest in modern equipment, and promote mechanization, computerization, and automation in production processes Additionally, there will be a focus on human resource development and improving policies to attract skilled workers.
The company is committed to fostering a culture of enthusiasm and dedication towards its growth and development We are actively implementing a workforce restructuring project aligned with our new governance model, aimed at enhancing efficiency and streamlining operations Our goal is to boost labor productivity and increase employee income, with a focus on safety and efficiency.
Impact of Khanh Hoa Coal Company
2.1.1 Providing a fuel source for the country
Between 2015 and 2019, the Company extracted 2.3 million tons of raw coal, including 225,762 tons from underground sources, and moved 21 million cubic meters of rock and soil They dug 4,213 meters of furnace and consumed 3.1 million tons of coal, contributing 831.5 billion dong to the budget, with an average monthly income of 8.5 million dong The coal produced during this period significantly contributed to the creation of millions of tons of cement and billions of kilowatts of electricity, playing a vital role in the country's construction efforts.
The Khanh Hoa Coal Company's development is significantly bolstered by the Cao Ngan Thermal Power Plant investment project, which was approved by the Government on December 3, 1998, with a total investment of nearly $124 million and a generation capacity of 100MW, utilizing 75% Khanh Hoa coal and 25% Nui Hong coal The plant began commercial electricity generation in July 2007, contributing to stable coal consumption, with annual output ranging from 550,000 to 600,000 tons Consequently, the primary responsibility of Khanh Hoa Coal Company is to ensure a consistent supply of coal for both the Cao Ngan Thermal Power Plant and the cement plants of Viet Bac Mining Industry Corporation.
Khanh Hoa Coal Company plays a crucial role in the energy sector while also addressing employment challenges for many workers Over the years, its mining operations have significantly boosted the local economy, providing practical social benefits such as job creation and stable income for numerous individuals.
900 employees Including many local workers, contributing to solving unemployment with the average monthly saraly from 8 to 10 million per person, increasing income and stabilizing society [12]
The company is committed to expediting clearance compensation projects to enhance production while investing in the renovation and synchronization of modern, high-capacity equipment Additionally, it prioritizes the development of human resources by refining mechanisms and policies to attract highly qualified and dedicated workers The ongoing workforce restructuring project aligns with the new governance model, aiming to streamline operations and boost labor productivity, ultimately leading to increased employee income.
Khanh Hoa Coal Company has made significant contributions to Vietnam, yet its operations also pose detrimental effects on both the natural and social environments.
While wastewater and solid waste treatment systems help mitigate environmental damage, the coal mining industry still poses significant risks The process requires substantial water usage to remove contaminants, which often includes toxic substances like lead and arsenic Consequently, the environmental harm associated with coal mining cannot be overlooked.
The recent expansion of coal mine capacity in Khanh Hoa has significantly affected the provincial environment, leading to serious concerns about environmental pollution Addressing these issues is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects on the natural surroundings.
The risk of shrinking the area of agricultural land, forestry, reducing biodiversity, changing topography
The Khanh Hoa coal mine's open pit has reached significant depths, raising concerns about the potential risks associated with lowering the groundwater level.
230m, which has a large impact on the regional groundwater level
Residents of Phuc Ha commune are increasingly concerned about severe environmental pollution due to the daily dumping of tons of soil and rock from mining activities, which exceeds permitted limits and heightens the risk of landslides Surveys of landfill sites reveal inadequate safety measures, with waste layers not properly separated as required This has led to landslides that contribute to sedimentation in nearby streams, significantly impacting local rice fields and creating challenges for agricultural production.
Water pollution at the Khanh Hoa coal mine is a significant concern, as a substantial volume of waste and wastewater is released daily Despite having a contract with a treatment company and implementing measures for pre-treatment, there are still critical gaps in management that could lead to severe environmental contamination Mineral extraction activities contribute significantly to wastewater generation, with most of the effluent receiving only preliminary treatment via sedimentation tanks before being released into surface water This wastewater is contaminated with suspended solids, color, and various heavy metals, posing a serious threat to the environment.
Air pollution in coal mining areas is primarily caused by drilling and blasting activities, which generate significant dust and gas emissions Additionally, the daily movement of hundreds of heavy trucks contributes to smog, air pollution, and noise disturbances Furthermore, the blasting associated with coal mining not only produces loud noises but also results in structural damage to the homes of nearby residents.
Coal mining significantly contributes to land pollution and degradation, adversely affecting the quality of nearby land Key factors include the release of wastewater laden with heavy metals, sediment runoff during rainstorms that contaminates paddy fields and streams, as well as increased landslides and soil erosion in mining areas.
Coal mining has provided substantial economic benefits in recent years; however, it has also resulted in critical issues that require urgent attention These include the reduction of land area, loss of biodiversity, dust pollution, landslide risks from landfills, and sedimentation in stream beds.
To have radical solutions to this problem, it is necessary to have synchronous attention from investors, regulatory agencies local authorities
2.2.2 For people living around the factory
Residents of Phuc Ha commune in Thai Nguyen city have long endured severe pollution from coal mining and transportation, resulting in darkened surroundings and a lack of clean water A recent survey revealed that coal dust accumulates on homes and vegetation, while open-pit mining has depleted local wells, leaving residents without drinking water Additionally, the proximity of coal mines has caused subsidence and cracking in nearby houses and gardens, significantly impacting community health and daily life The lingering odor of sulfur from unburned rock dumps forces residents to keep their doors closed to avoid being overwhelmed by coal dust.
Environmental management at Khanh Hoa Coal Company
Management solutions: Currently the mine has an Environmental Safety
The department oversees mining safety and environmental concerns with a dedicated team of over 10 officers, including one specifically focused on environmental management The mines are committed to adhering to environmental regulations and best practices in their operations.
The Law on Environment mandates the preparation of environmental impact assessment reports, implementation of periodic pollution control programs, and submission of regular environmental reports to the relevant environmental protection authorities.
This article focuses on the environmental management practices at the Khanh Hoa coal mine, aiming to identify current challenges and propose effective solutions It employs a criteria-based approach to evaluate the significance of these issues, ensuring compliance with established standards through scoring and assessment methods.
Introduction to EIA project at Khanh Hoa Coal Company
The project focuses on conducting an environmental impact assessment for Khanh Hoa Coal Company-VVMI, ensuring the safety of the environment both within the factory and in its surrounding areas This assessment aims to evaluate and mitigate potential environmental risks associated with the company's operations.
Figure 1: Administrative map of Phu Luong district (Viet Nam website)
Located just 4 km west of Thai Nguyen city center, the Khanh Hoa coal mine is strategically positioned near key landmarks To the west, it borders the Ba Son coal mine, while the southeast is adjacent to Quan Trieu station Additionally, the eastern side of the mine is conveniently linked to Highway 3, connecting Thai Nguyen to Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang.
+ An Khanh commune (Dai Tu district)
+ Son Cam commune (Phu Luong district)
+ Phuc Ha commune (Thai Nguyen city)
Figure 2: Topographic map of Khanh Hoa coal mine
The quarry boasts a well-developed infrastructure, featuring concrete roads that connect it to nearby villages and the city center, all with a roadbed width exceeding 5 meters.
4.3 The main objectives of the project
- Through field surveys, direct assessment, establish a brief character of the environmental situation in the target area detection of environmental pollutants at Khanh Hoa Coal Copany
- Assess the impact of Khanh Hoa Mining on the surrounding environment on the quality of water, soil and air as well as on the people living around the area
- Propose solutions to minimize and prevent impacts, regarding activities to be performed and indicators or tools included in the monitoring and evaluation system price of the program.
Environmental policy, legislative and institutional framework
In order to evaluate the environmental impact of Khanh Hoa Coal Mine, environmental laws as well as Vietnamese standards were used:
Law on Environmental Protection dated June 23, 2014
QCVN 05: 2009 / BTNMT - National technical regulation on ambient air quality
The regulation establishes limit values for key air quality parameters, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), suspended particulate matter, PM10, and lead (Pb) in ambient air This framework is essential for assessing air quality and monitoring pollution levels, as outlined in QCVN 05: 2009 / BTNMT.
QCVN 08-MT: 2015 / BTNMT - National technical regulation on surface water quality It is a standard that helps assess and manage surface water quality, as a basis for appropriate water protection and use, as well as a basis for the preparation and approval of water use planning for use purposes determined As a basis to control
To ensure that surface water remains suitable for its intended use, it is essential to identify and manage the sources of waste discharged into receiving bodies Implementing measures to improve and restore water quality is crucial, as outlined in QCVN 08-MT: 2015 / BTNMT.
QCVN 03: 2008 / BTNMT - National technical regulation on the allowable limits of heavy metals in the soils Setting limits on the total content of some heavy metals:
Arsenic (As), Cadimi (Cd), Dong (Cu), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) in the topsoil according to the purpose of use land (QCVN 03: 2008 / BTNMT).[19]
QCVN 24:2016/BYT - National Technical Regulation on Noise [20]
QCVN 06 : 2009/BTNMT - National technical regulation on hazardous substances in ambient air According to this regulation, it stipulates the maximum allowable concentration of hazardous substances in the air, simultaneously assessing air quality and monitoring pollution (QCVN 06 : 2009/BTNMT).[21]
Evaluating the environmental impact of Khanh Hoa Coal Company requires a thorough assessment of air, water, and soil quality This research emphasizes careful sampling to reduce errors, with options for on-site testing or laboratory analysis to ensure accurate results.
The law aims to enhance environmental quality through the installation, maintenance, and improvement of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) It ensures factories adhere to environmental policies and national standards, allowing for external certification to verify compliance objectively Additionally, EMS facilitates self-assessment of conformity with national laws, promoting accountability and continuous improvement in environmental practices.
METHODS
General approach
The research team visited Khanh Hoa Coal Company to perform an environmental impact assessment in two key areas: within the factory and the surrounding residential zone near the mine The assessment was conducted following the outlined methodology illustrated in the accompanying diagram (Figure 3).
Figure 3 Steps of conducting EIA in Khanh Hoa Coal Mine
The researchers began their study by reviewing various documents, including scientific environmental assessments and reports on the environmental impacts of Khanh Hoa Mining This initial research provided essential information and knowledge for their analysis They also referenced relevant environmental literature, policies, and legislative frameworks By comparing their findings against national standards and regulations, the team aimed to identify the environmental issues present in the study area before conducting fieldwork in Khanh.
Review of relevant environmental literature, environmental policy and legislation framework
Preparation of mitigation/optimization measures
Preparation of the Environmental Management Plan
Preparation of the final EIA report
Hoa Coal Company conducted fieldwork to observe and identify environmental issues at Khanh Hoa Mine This involved setting up equipment, measuring environmental indicators, collecting samples for laboratory analysis, and interviewing local residents Based on the analysis results, researchers assessed the extent of pollution and evaluated the ambient environmental quality Following the identification of environmental problems, tailored mitigation and optimization measures were developed Additionally, an environmental management plan was established to implement effective strategies for managing the environment at Khanh Hoa Coal Company The culmination of this research was the preparation of a final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which serves as a comprehensive overview of the study's findings and a valuable reference for future research.
Figure 4: Interviewing the local people (Hang, 2020)
The research team conducted a comprehensive study around the Khanh Hoa Coal Mine by collecting samples from the surrounding environmental factors and directly interviewing local households This approach aimed to identify the environmental issues arising from mining activities, with the findings summarized in Table 1.
Table 1 The survey questions for local people around Khanh Hoa Coal Mine
1 What do you think about water quality here?
2 Does the water have a strange smell or taste?
3 Do you see any sign of Khanh Hoa Coal Company's illegal discharge wastewater or garbage into its surroundings?
4 Do people feel an unpleasant smell coming from Khanh Hoa Mine?
5 Do people see emissions emitted from the factory?
6 Do people often feel short of breath or often getting a related respiratory illness?
7 Whether the noise from the factory impact your daily life?
8 Do operations of the factory and transportation facilities bother you?
9 Does the operation of the mine affect agricultural production activities here?
10 Since Khanh Hoa Coal Company come to operation, have insects or pests such as mosquitoes and flies have suddenly grown?
Air quality will be assessed directly at designated sample locations in accordance with QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT and QCVN 06:2009/BTNMT Additionally, the methods used for analyzing air quality parameters will adhere to national standards and relevant international analysis guidelines.
- “TCVN 5978: 1995 (ISO 4221: 1980) Air quality Determine the mass concentration of sulfur dioxide in the surrounding air Photometric method using thorin” ("QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT", 2009)
- “TCVN 5971: 1995 (ISO 6767: 1990) Ambient air Determine the mass concentration of sulfur dioxide Tetrachloromercurate (TCM) / Pararosanilin method” ("QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT", 2009)
- “TCVN 5972: 1995 (ISO 8186: 1989) Ambient air Determine the mass concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) Gas chromatographic method” ("QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT", 2009)
- “TCVN 5067: 1995 Air quality The weight method determines the dust content
- “TCVN 6138: 1996 (ISO 7996: 1985) Ambient air Determination of mass concentration of nitrogen oxides Optical chemical method” ("QCVN
- “TCVN 5969: 1995 (ISO 4220: 1983) Ambient air Determination of air pollution index by acid gases The end-titration method detects the endpoint by a color indicator or potentiometer” ("QCVN 06:2009/BTNMT", 2009)
Water quality assessment at Khanh Hoa Coal Mine involved collecting samples from designated locations both inside and outside the mine These samples were analyzed in a laboratory using methods compliant with QCVN 08 MT:2015/BTNMT and QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT standards to determine pollution levels.
1 Sampling to determine the quality of wastewater applies the guidelines of the following national standards:
- “TCVN 6663-1: 2011 (ISO 5667-1: 2006) - Water quality - Part 1: Instructions for setting up a sampling program and sampling techniques” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6663-3: 2008 (ISO 5667-3: 2003) - Water Quality - Sampling Instructions for storage and handling of samples” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 5999: 1995 (ISO 5667-10: 1992) - Water Quality - Sampling Guidance on wastewater sampling” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
2 Methods of determining pollution control parameters
In industrial wastewater, comply with the following national and international standards:
- “TCVN 4557: 1988 Water quality - Methods of determining temperature” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6492: 2011 (ISO 10523: 2008) Water quality - Determination of pH” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6185: 2008 - Water quality - Testing and determination of colors” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6001-1: 2008 (ISO 5815-1: 2003), Water quality - Determination of biochemical oxygen demand after n days (BODn) - Part 1: Dilution method and transplanting with allylthiourea” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6001-2: 2008 (ISO 5815-2: 2003), Water quality - Determination of biochemical oxygen demand after n days (BODn) - Part 2: Method for undiluted samples” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6491: 1999 (ISO 6060: 1989) Water quality - Determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD)” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6625: 2000 (ISO 11923: 1997) Water quality - Determination of suspended solids by filtration through glass fiber filters” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6626: 2000 Water quality - Determination of arsenic - Atomic absorption spectrometry method (hydrogen technique)” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6193: 1996 Water quality - Determination of cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead Method of flame atomic absorption spectrometry” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6177: 1996 Water quality - Determination of iron by a spectrometric method using 1,10-phenanthroline reagent” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 5988: 1995 (ISO 5664: 1984) Water quality - Determination of ammonium
- Distillation and titration methods” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6638: 2000 Water quality - Determination of nitrogen - Catalytic digestion after reduction with Devarda alloy” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT", 2011)
- “TCVN 6202: 2008 (ISO 6878: 2004) Water quality - Determination of phosphorus
- Spectrometric method using ammonium molybdate” ("QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT",
- “TCVN 8775: 2011 Water quality - Determination of total coliform” ("QCVN
Figure 5: Soil sample location (Tam, 2020)
Researchers conducted soil quality assessments around the Khanh Hoa Coal Mine by collecting samples from various locations for laboratory analysis The evaluation adhered to the standards set forth in QCVN 03: 2008/BTNMT, following a systematic measurement procedure to determine soil quality.
“Samples are taken to determine the heavy metal criteria specified in Section 2 of this Regulation according to TCVN 4046: 1985 - Arable land Sampling method and
TCVN 5297: 1995 - Soil quality - Sampling - general requirements” ("QCVN 03:
Heavy metal criteria specified in Item 2 of this Regulation are determined by the following methods:
- “TCVN 6649: 2000 (ISO 11466: 1995) Soil quality - Extraction of trace elements dissolved in aqua regia” ("QCVN 03: 2008/BTNMT", 2008)
- “TCVN 6496: 1999 (ISO 1 1047: 1995) Soil quality - Determination of Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Manganese, and Nickel in soil extracts by aqua regia - Flame and zero absorption method fire” ("QCVN 03: 2008/BTNMT",
Environmental quality indicators
The environmental quality indicator encompasses four key sectors: air, noise, water, and soil indicators By analyzing the collected data and comparing it to national standards, we can identify which indicators exceed the standards and which fall below them.
Table 2 Limit value of basic parameters in ambient air (QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT)
*Note: The sign (-) is not defined
Unit: Micrograms per cubic meter (μg / m3)
Table 3 Limited value of surface water quality parameters (QCVN
5 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) mg/l 20 30 50 100
Table 4 Limiting the total content of some heavy metals in some soils (”QCVN 03 : 2008/BTNMT”, 2008)
Unit: mg/kg dry soil
Environmental baseline study
Conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Khanh Hoa Coal Company requires thorough data collection to achieve two main objectives First, it enables researchers to gain insights into the current conditions at the company, which is essential for developing suitable projects Second, this data aids in predicting and evaluating potential environmental changes during the implementation of these projects around the Khanh Hoa Coal Mine.
Khanh Hoa Coal Company is situated in Phu Luong district, characterized by mountainous and hilly terrain The region experiences a tropical monsoon climate with distinct hot and cold seasons, where the hot season lasts from April to October, marked by significant rainfall, while the cold season, from November to March, sees minimal precipitation Average humidity ranges from 79% to 98.3%, and annual rainfall varies between 1,800mm and 2,000mm, peaking in August and dropping to its lowest in January and December The area enjoys between 1,300 and 1,750 hours of sunshine annually, with solar radiation measuring approximately 115 Kcal/cm² The highest temperatures occur from May to September, exceeding 30 degrees Celsius While Phu Luong's climate is conducive to agricultural production and supports diverse crop cultivation, the heavy rainfall during the hot season and uneven hydrological patterns often lead to flooding.
Figure 6 The Thai Nguyen Vietnam Average Monthly Rainfall (“HB Website”,2017)
Figure 7 The Thai Nguyen Vietnam Average Monthly Temperature (“HB Website”,2017)
Phu Luong district is home to diverse ecosystems, including forest, aquatic, and agricultural systems that support a wide variety of wildlife However, industrial activities have led to a decline in these ecosystems, significantly reducing the habitats available for many unique species of flora and fauna in the area.
Wet rice agriculture and tea cultivation are vital to Phu Luong's economy, with the region being the second largest tea-growing area in Thai Nguyen province, renowned for its high-quality tea Additionally, trade and services have expanded significantly across various communes, while the coal mining industry continues to contribute to the ongoing economic development of Phu Luong.
RESULT AND DISUSSION
Impact identification
To evaluate the environmental impact of Khanh Hoa Coal Company, it is essential to consider various factors, primarily focusing on air quality, water quality, and soil quality Careful sampling methods are employed to minimize errors, with samples either measured on-site or sent to a laboratory for thorough analysis and accurate recording of results.
1.1 Assessing the air quality around Khanh Hoa Coal Mine
The operation of the Khanh Hoa Coal Company significantly impacts air quality and the surrounding environment due to the inherent characteristics of the coal mining industry Therefore, it is essential to assess the air quality around the coal mine to determine compliance with environmental standards and implement timely corrective measures.
According to air quality regulations, data collected from specific monitoring locations can be assessed against established standards to determine air pollution levels Various indicators can be measured to evaluate environmental conditions effectively.
When monitoring indicators exceed permitted levels, the air is classified as polluted, necessitating solutions to restore it to safe quality An environmental impact assessment on air quality was conducted at five selected locations to evaluate this issue.
Table 5: The weather indicators recorded in the study area (Tam, 2020)
Mining area in the pit
Southern of open-pit mining area 27,5 54,1 0,6
In May 2020, environmental monitoring revealed hot and sunny weather, with stable temperature fluctuations from noon to early afternoon, consistently averaging 27.5°C The low humidity level was recorded at 54.1%, accompanied by a gentle wind speed of 0.6 m/s, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere.
Air quality monitoring at Khanh Hoa Coal Mine is significantly influenced by weather conditions, particularly air temperature, humidity, and wind speed These weather factors were systematically recorded, as detailed in Table 6, during the measurement process The collected parameters are essential for accurate calculations in air quality analysis.
Table 6: Results of gas and dust measurement and analysis in the mining area
No Parameter Unit Result QCVN
LS1 LS2 LS3 LS4 LS5
- The value after the sign "